Project Dosti Application for Funding from Asha
by
Amit Garg
Stanford, Mar. 6, 2001
I have tried to answer all the questions on your template (http://www.stanford.edu/group/asha/projects/template.html).
If you need any more information please do not hesitate to contact me.
1) Background
On Project Dosti
Project Dosti (http://www.stanford.edu/group/dosti) was founded by Sameer Bhatia and his father in 1992 to “provide service, gain a better understanding of India, and strengthen bonds of shared culture and values with India.” We are affiliated with Haas and entirely student-run.
Past projects have included working with different slum communities in Bangalore, with rehabilitation center in Mumbai, and with schools in rural Bihar.
Besides training volunteers we also organize a Spring class (this year under the name hist186B: “Perspectives on India”). Last year we had a turnout of over 50 people.
On Directors
· Amit Garg – amgarg@leland 7-9622
Born and raised in Brazil. Sophomore, CS/Bio major. Was volunteer last year in Bihar (including to the school this year’s volunteers are going to)
· Neil Kothari – nkothari@leland 494-1689
Born in US and raised in Hong Kong. Senior, CS major. Was volunteer two years ago in Mumbai and director last year.
Both of us are organizing trip this year, in spite of all our other commitments, with the simple desire to provide others the opportunity we had.
Previous Funding
We have obtained ~$400 / volunteer every year by writing The Stanford Fund letters. The money is used to cover project expenses especially purchasing supplies.
2) Specific Project
On the organization
We are hoping to send 6-10 volunteers this year to work with Jagriti Vihara, a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in rural Jharkhand (ex-southern Bihar). Jagriti Vihara was founded in 1971 by Mr. Sachyanand Upadhayay, an intellectual who has dedicated his entire life and money to his vision.
Their primary area of work is in education; currently the NGO supports about 1000 students in outlying villages, thereby serving over 10,000 people. They also have projects on job training, irrigation and micro-credit to woman. Jagriti Vihara is entirely self-funded but they have been under serious financial trouble recently.
On the Beneficiaries
Volunteers will be working for six weeks during the summer with approximately 50 students ages 12-13. Most of these children come from very humble agricultural families and have had minimal exposure to traditional schooling. The gender ratio among students is somewhat skewed towards males due to persisting stereotypes, but Jagriti Vihara actively promotes universal access to education.
The volunteers will be teaching them science in creative ways (practical demonstrations, microscopes, telescopes were a huge success last year), arts and crafts, geography, among other subjects (c.f. “Syllabus” at the end). Our goal is to expose these children to as many new things as possible, in ways that their teachers might not have access to.
3) Funding
I was very moved last year to see the conditions in which Jagriti Vihara operates. It is remarkable they are bringing hope to 10,000 villagers amidst all the problems.
Money Requested
We would like to ask ASHA for a one-time $2200 contribution on behalf of Jagriti Vihara. The NGO has done a remarkable job in one of the most backwards parts of India (southern Bihar). Guerrilla groups (e.g., MCC), government corruption, floods and Mr. Upadhayay’s old age threaten the existence of the organization. For instance, since 1999, the central school has been closed and the personnel reduced by ¼ because of tight finances.
Jagriti Vihara lives largely because of the people’s immense respect for Mr. Upadhayay and the staff’s personal sacrifice. We request these funds so the organization can setup a science laboratory at the central school (see “Jagriti Vihara”, p. 4).
4) Other Details
- Jagriti Vihara has NO government support
- we will update Asha on money usage as required
- applications for current volunteers are due F Mar. 23
- Parts of my report as well as photos from the work last year follow attached
A Garg (Aug. 2000). “Findings of Project Dosti 2000: Working in Rural Schools in Bihar” selected portions
Jagriti Vihar
Dates of Stay: 7/10 - 7/16
Jagriti Vihar (JV) is a secular NGO located in the Anglo-Indian haven of McCluskieganj, about 70 km southeast of Ranchi. The organization is the brainchild of the 70-year old Mr. Sachyanand Upadhyay, an intellectual who has created it from his own hands and money over the course of 35 years. JV has ample facilities but lacks money – funds come essentially from what Mr. Upadhyay earns in annual lectures in Scandinavia and revenues from schools and farms. Recently a terrorist militia called MCC has set up a base very close by and threatens nearby villagers. JV is intact solely by the extreme respect and loyalty Mr. Upadhyay commands, but there is not a mass base as in Bishunpur.
For our work, Mr. Upadhyay had about 30 students brought especially from different schools to the headquarters. Normally these children would be spending half their day at headquarters, lunch included, but lack of resources has forced its closure since last year. Many of the students were tribals and most of them had had very little opportunity for education. However, they were older (average age = 13 years) and so were better able to overcome the language barrier, allowing us to maintain a fine balance between science and arts. JV was accustomed to receiving many foreigners and was able to best cater to our needs.
Recommendations
JV is, ironically enough, the most prepared to receive foreigners but also the most needy. The community is too poor to support the organization and too terrorized by the MCC to attempt a change. Future volunteers there could perhaps help JV with its financial constraints (e.g., a group of 12 Europeans came in early 1999 and helped make and sell cloth).
Contact Information
Jagriti Vihar
Mr. Sachyanand Upadhyay
McCluskieganj, Ranchi district, Bihar Jharkhand
Phone: (0651) 911-6368
Office in Ranchi
Mr. Suman
Chandralok apts., 4th floor, Kutchery Road, Ranchi, Bihar
Phone: (0651) 302-091 Fax: (0651) 203-760
Email: <>
Our Syllabus
An outline of most of the topics we taught:
Science
Experiments such as plant physiology, acids and bases, how volcanoes erupt, how mountains are formed, human anatomy, air pressure, diffusion and osmosis, among others
Crafts
Clay toys, origami (bird and flower), flower crowns, techniques of painting, hands-on drawing, paper mask, notions of music
English
Basic vocabulary (animals, fruits, vegetables), rhymes, songs
Others
Games: all kinds of children’s games
Dance: Capoeira (dance), swing